A Donegal TD says that many hard-pressed students and their families would benefit if the government made changes to the eligible income criteria for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) special rate awards.
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, recently raised the matter in the Dáil with the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe.
The Donegal TD says students from families on low incomes are being denied the special rate award even though they are under the threshold of €24,000.
They are deemed ineligible due to not having long-term social protection payment making up part of that income.
Deputy Pringle says many families that should meet the criteria are being denied the funding
